
Sunday
March 24
THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CHURCH (Rev. 3:14-17).
Daniel and Revelation are the Bible's two prime examples of
apocalyptic prophecy. This kind of prophecy focuses on the end of
human history, is based on visions and dreams, and makes a large use
of symbolism. Sometimes the symbols used in any one prophecy are
interpreted for us (Daniel 2, 7, 8). But the symbols in many proph-
ecies are not interpreted. For example, we are left to interpret the
symbolism in the prophecy of the trumpets (Revelation 8 and 9) on
the basis of Scripture and history.
Seventh-day Adventists have consistently interpreted apocalyptic
prophecy by identifying, wherever possible, fulfillments in history.
Daniel gives the sweep of history, covering Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece, Rome, and the papacy, culminating in end-time events (Daniel
2-9). Because the futurist school of prophetic interpretation fails to
recognize historical fulfillments, it fails to identify accurately end-
time applications.
Our purpose in this lesson is to study the prophecy regarding
Laodicea, the last-day church (Rev. 3:14-22). The seven churches
represent seven periods of church history. (Compare Rev. 1:1, 3, 19.)
The symbolism used within each church applies dramatically to a
particular period of history. Yet the message to each church is rel-
evant to every stage of history.
The name
Laodicea may mean
"a people judged." It is a combina-
tion of two Greek words:
laos, meaning "people," and
dikaios,
meaning "righteous." Hence,
Laodicea
may also mean "a righteous
people." The name prefigures the pre-advent judgment and the
righteous condition of responsive believers, who are justified and
vindicated by Jesus Christ.
Compare other Bible passages that parallel John's description
of the last-day church: "Neither cold nor hot. . . . You are luke-
warm. . . . You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked"
(Rev. 3:15-17, NRSV). Compare Lev. 18:24-30; Jer. 3:1-10; Hosea
10:1, 2; Amos 6:1; Matt. 22:11-13.
"The Lord has shown me in vision some things concerning the
church in its present lukewarm state, which I will relate to you. . . .
Said the angel to the church: 'Jesus speaks to thee, "Be zealous and
repent.' " This work, I saw, should be taken hold of in earnest. There
is something to repent of. Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and cov-
etousness have been eating out the spirituality and life of God's
people."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1,
p. 141.
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